In the Russian Aeroflot flight incident, the Supreme Court ruled that a lawyer involved in preventing the flight from taking off within Sri Lanka's jurisdiction did not commit professional misconduct.
The court discharged the rule against the lawyer, stating that he did not engage in deceit, malpractice, or any offense as defined by the Judicature Act and the Supreme Court's rules for attorneys-at-law. The lawyer had served an Enjoining Order on the Acting Head of Air Navigation Services at Bandaranaike International Airport, which led to the controversy.
The court noted that the lawyer had entered the airport with a valid day pass and did not unlawfully interrupt any communications, as alleged. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka also did not consider the lawyer's conduct as unworthy of an Attorney-at-Law, stating that he did not breach the relevant rules.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva represented the respondent lawyer, while Rohan Sahabandu PC represented the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appeared for the Attorney General.
